2017 is shaping up to be a pretty remarkable year for first-generation smartphones. Android creator Andy Rubin debuted his new company's Essential Phone, which uses embedded magnets to connect to gadgets such as 360-degree cameras and charging docks. Gaming accessory company Razer announced its entertainment-centric Razer Phone, the spiritual successor to another first-generation smartphone, the cloud-connected Nextbit Robin.

You might be intrigued by the idea of trying out one of these brand new smartphones. But you should consider what goes into purchasing what is essentially an indie smartphone before you take the leap into untested waters. Phones with modular accessories or high-performance displays are definitely worth a look, but you should be prepared to deal with potential obstacles.

Mechanical keyboards are all the rage at the moment, and for good reason. Improved reliability, durability and that beautiful clack you get whenever you press a key are features that are just too hard to resist. You might be looking to buy a new mechanical keyboard but you don't know where to start. Well, start right here! We've rounded up some of the best reviewed mechanical keyboards you can find - with links to buy.

The new Razer Blade Stealth is an unusual beast, in a good way. It exists as a product manufactured by a company that proudly states “For Gamers, By Gamers” on the cardboard box that it ships in. However, like the previous model, it doesn’t really feel like a gaming laptop. No, the Blade Stealth isn’t a gaming laptop. But it is one of the best ultrabooks you can buy.

Virtual reality has been around for decades, but it's only of late that the technology has properly matured with reliable consumer-grade headsets, room-scale tracking, high quality touch controllers and a library of games worth exploring.

So now that people can get into virtual reality in a range of ways - from mobiles to consoles to the top-end headsets - what's changed? Here's everything you need to know about VR.

Not long after the first Deathadder launched, there was discussion amongst Counter-Strike circles about what was the best mouse to buy. The Intellimouse Optical or Logitech's MX500 were the two favourites. But Microsoft had canned production of the former, and the shape of Logitech's offerings (with the concave indent for your thumb) was very particular, and not at all conducive for certain mouse grips. So if you were in the market for a new mouse, or your Intellimouse had just died, what was a gamer to do?

The go-to mouse became the Deathadder: it had the same shape as the fat Intellimouse Optical mice, the optical sensor was just as reliable at the end of a tournament as it was at home, and it felt good in the hand. Razer's since refreshed the Deathadder line with the Deathadder Elite, and it's just as good as the original Deathadder was over a decade ago.

Work is becoming a lifestyle with a lot of young professionals.

With more people taking work home, telecommuting, contracting and travelling, they want laptops that can be used for both business and pleasure. Why switch machines when you can have something that is easily portable for work but still powerful enough to game and watch streamed videos in HD?

Fortunately, the industry is listening. Whether you like to play games or simply hitting the 'play' button on your screen -- there will be something here for you.